C O L T O N C O U R I E R WWe e eekkllyy
By Manny SandovalIn a spirited display of unity and sportsmanship, the San Bernardino Police Department took to the basketball court against local community members in a "Badges VS Ballers" game at Nunez Park on September 2nd The event, which drew dozens of spectators and participants, showcased the department's commitment to fostering understanding and building bridges with the community they serve
Chick-Fil-A and Get Loaded Guns and Ammo sponsored the event, ensuring attendees were well-fed and refreshed The community team, coached by Executive Pastor Byron Sims of Kingdom Culture Worship Center, was a diverse mix of young children, teenagers, and adults, all eager to engage in
friendly competition with the police officers Mayor Helen Tran and Councilmember Juan Figueroa were among the attendees, showing their support for the initiative San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr not only attended but also showcased his basketball prowess by playing in two games
L i e u t e n a n t J o h n E c h e v a r r i a , We s t e r n District Commander, emphasized the importance of such events "Members of the San Bernardino Police Department constantly strive to connect with the community Even if that means in a more personable way through sports," Echevarria said "Today the officers came out to showcase their athletic skills versus the youth of San Bernardino, and we had a phenomenal time Thank you t o o u r e s t e e m e d t e e n a g e r s f o r p l a y i n g against our officers in a few fun games of basketball "
Supervisor Joe Baca Jr echoed the sentim e n t i n a F a c e b o o k p o s t , s t a t i n g ,
"Congratulations to The San Bernardino Police Department on a successful community event with the Badges vs Ballers basketball game Building the bridge between public safety and the community "
Engaging events like these are pivotal in bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community They provide a platform f o r o p e n d i a l o g u e , m u t u a l r e s p e c t , a n d understanding, fostering a sense of unity and t r u s t A s t h e S a n B e r n a r d i n o P o l i c e Department and the City of San Bernardino continue to prioritize such initiatives, they're setting a positive example of how law enforcement can effectively engage with and support the communities they serve
By IECN StaffInland Empire Community News (IECN) is celebrating a significant achievement as its Co-owner & Publisher, Manny Sandoval, was honored a s a f i n a l i s t f o r t h e ' B e s t
Explanatory Reporting' category
a t t h e 2 0 2 3 E t h n i c M e d i a
Awards
"This feat speaks volumes to IECN’s commitment to balanced reporting and empowering the voices of people from across the Inland Empire Thank you to Rialto Unified School District for the nomination and Ethnic Media Services for this honor Congrats to all finalists at the c e r e m o n y, " M a n n y S a n d o v a l expressed with gratitude
The Ethnic Media Awards, held o n A u g u s t 3 1 , 2 0 2 3 , a t t h e K i m p t o n S a w y e r H o t e l i n
S acr amen to , b r o u g h t to g eth er ethnic media outlets from across the state These outlets, which p l a y e d a n i n d i s p e n s a b l e r o l e during the pandemic, came to Sacramento as a united front to engage with decision-makers,
communications specialists, and to celebrate the outstanding journalism within the sector
Sandy Close of Ethnic Media Services (EMS) highlighted the importance of the event and the role of ethnic media, stating, "We met the moment " The gathering aimed not only to honor t h e a c h i e v e m e n t s o f e t h n i c media but also to continue the dialogue with state leaders about the growing push for equity in public education campaigns
T h e r e c o g n i t i o n o f e t h n i c m e d i a ' s v i t a l r o l e , e s p e c i a l l y during the pandemic, has led to a broader understanding among legislators about the importance of supporting local media that serves immigrants and communities of color
T h e n o m i n a t i o n o f M a n n y Sandoval and the broader recognition of ethnic media's contribution underscores the importance of local journalism in fostering community connections, promoting understanding, and ensuring that diverse voices are heard and represented in the broader
HSSBV Annual Casino Night & Dog House Auction
Community News
The Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley will be hosting their annual Casino Night and Dog House Auction “Howler-ween”
Party on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm at 374 West Orange Show Road, San Bernardino
Attendees can gamble the night away and have the opportunity to win several fabulous high end raffle prize packages including a Disneyland package, an Eastern Sierra vacation package, Six Flags tickets, a suite at the Ontario Reign and so much more!
Guests will also enjoy gaming, music, dancing, food and fun! There will also be one of a kind bird houses, a dog house and deluxe pet beds available for live auction Costumes are encourage, but not required! There will
be a contest for Best Costume, with the winner being announced at the end of the event New additions to the event this year include a caricature artist and face painter/festival makeup
Tickets are available now and can be purchased by calling 909386-1400 ext 218 or 224 or in person at the HSSBV Administration Office (374 W Orange Show Road)! Ticket prices are $50 each when purchased on or before October 2nd Tickets sold after October 2nd will be sold for $55 each Tickets will also be available for sale at the door for this price It strongly encouraged to purchase your tickets in advance Each ticket includes dinner, drink ticket, raffle ticket, $100 in Casino Cash, and entrance to the door prize drawing, including a $50 Visa gift card This event is for guests 21 years of age and older only
Animal Car e’s Clear the Shelter Campaign
Places 168 Pets Into ‘Fur ever’ Homes
Community News
We are thrilled to share the heartwarming success story of San Bernardino County Animal Care’s participation in the NBCUniversal Local’s Clear the Shelters event This year ’s event proved to be a resounding triumph for animal welfare as 168 pets found their “furever” homes, creating a wave of joy and compassion throughout the community
At the forefront of this achievement were the devoted staff and volunteers at both the Devore and the Big Bear Animal Shelters The event kicked off with unparalleled enthusiasm, drawing in families and individuals eager to open their hearts and homes to a new furry friend
The Devore Animal Shelter, a haven for animals in need, saw an incredible outpouring of support from the community With 147 pets finding their ‘furever ’ families, the atmosphere was charged with happiness and the promise of brighter days for these previously homeless com-
panions From playful pups to wise senior dogs, the Devore Animal Shelter ’s diverse range of pets captured the hearts of adopters, reaffirming the power of adoption in transforming lives
Meanwhile, at the Big Bear Animal Shelter, 21 lucky pets also embarked on their journey to new beginnings The scenic surroundings of Big Bear provided the perfect backdrop for families to connect with their new four-legged family members, underscoring the magic of the Clear the Shelters event
San Bernardino County Animal Care’s commitment to animal welfare was truly exemplified during this event Their dedication to finding loving homes for these pets extended far beyond the event itself, echoing the sentiment that every pet deserves a chance at happiness and companionship
For more information about pet adoptions or to see the animals available for adoption, or to find a lost or missing pet, visit animalcare sbcounty gov/pets
CSUSB Student Named Among Nation's Top Student Veterans Community News
“Is this real?” Ralph Figueroa asked when he opened the email
Figueroa, a graduate student in the rehabilitation counseling master ’s program at Cal State San Bernardino, was informed in an email from GI Jobs Magazine that he had been recognized as one of the 32 outstanding student veterans in the nation
After some inquiring around the CSUSB Veterans Success Center (VSC), it hit him – he was, in fact, selected as a 2023 Student Veteran Leadership Award honoree
“Ralph is a tremendous addition to the VSC and to the campus in general,” said VSC director Agustin Ramirez, who nominated Figueroa for the honor “I haven’t worked with a student of Ralph’s caliber ever That’s exactly why we nominated Ralph for Outstanding Student Employee this year And that’s exactly why GI Jobs has recognized him for being a top veteran working with the community ”
“I’m flattered and I’m super honored that I would even be mentioned amongst some other veterans that are doing some really big things in their communities,” said Figueroa, a VSC paraprofessional, who served 12 years the Army, including deployments during OIF and OEF “To be recognized is very humbling ”
Everything Figueroa does for the VSC, he says, comes from his desire to do the greater good for everyone
Since starting at CSUSB in fall 2022, Figueroa, who is on track to graduate in 2025, has secured thousands of dollars in equipment from donors for students, such as laptops and computers, and thousands of dollars from donors in food supplies to stock the VSC’s pantry
“One of the biggest things I preach to a lot of the student vets that come into our center is networking and the importance of why you network I’ve been fortunate to have crossed paths with different people in the veteran community or just in our community in general that are part of nonprofit organizations – their goal is to help others,” explained Figueroa, who is affectionately known to the other student veterans as the “VSC dad ”
Figueroa partnered with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 12 in San Bernardino, which has a contract with NASA; when NASA has turnaround with their equipment, they are donated to the DAV Figueroa was able to secure six full workstations, complete with laptops, monitors, docking stations, keyboards and mouses through the DAV
He also approached a few organizations for food donations for the VSC’s pantry
“A lot of them are nontraditional students, so they have families, and a lot of times, even eating is not something they can do right away,” said Figueroa, who ensures the donations are also shared with the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus
“We have so many great people in our community, in San Bernardino County, that want to help our student veterans,” Figueroa said
In addition to helping meet the needs of student veterans, he also resurrected the once dormant
Student Veterans Organization on campus, which he says, started by accident
“I was going through the drawers (in the VSC) and saw a tablecloth with the name SVO and asked what it is,” explained Figueroa, who discovered that it was a club that had formed in 2012, but it had been inactive for the last few years
“I immediately thought, ‘Wow, this is a way for us to have representation and have a voice on our own campus,’” he said “And not only that, but we can create a peer support group for student veterans ”
After discovering he only needed five members to officially start an on-campus club, Figueroa immediately jumped into action and within literal minutes, he had gathered five of his peers to join
With enough members to start, Figueroa approached the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement to recharter the club In fall 2022, the Student Veterans Organization was reborn Figueroa even spearheaded its affiliation into the national Student Veterans of America, a nonprofit organization focused on addressing the needs and concerns of American military veterans in higher education
The club has quickly grown to over 40 members, with more and more joining
The Student Veterans Organization, Figueroa says, stands for three things: 1) They engage with each other to create a support system, 2) They educate each other, and 3) They inspire each other
“That was my vision and it’s been that and then some,” Figueroa said “I’ve been so elated ”
“On top of being part of the rehabilitation counseling program, being part of the Veterans Success Center here is what really opened my eyes –this community is awesome,” he continued “I’ve met some amazing students and I’m very fortunate to be helping shape lives too, just like they are changing my life ”
To view the list of all 32 Student Veteran Leadership Awardees, visit the GI Jobs online magazine
California State University, San Bernardino is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in Inland Southern California Opened in 1965 and set at the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, the university serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually
The university offers more than 70 traditional baccalaureate and master ’s degree programs, education credential and certificate programs, and a doctorate program in educational leadership
Every one of its eligible academic programs has earned national accreditation CSUSB reflects the dynamic diversity of the region and has the most diverse student population of any university in the Inland Empire More than 80 percent of those who graduate are the first in their families to do so
For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit the Inside CSUSB news site
Community News
On Friday, November 25, 2022, Rialto Police Department patrol officers investigated a robbery that occurred in the 300 block of North Eucalyptus Avenue
The 19-year-old victim reported the suspect, who was later identified as Manuel Barajas, physically attacked him and stole approximately $9,000 00 worth of jewelry and electronics During the incident Barajas pointed a handgun at the victim’s head and threatened to kill him Barajas fled from the location before police arrived, however an investigation was conducted and a criminal report was completed
Criminal charges were later filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, and as a result Barajas was arrested on February 20, 2023 Barajas was later re-
leased with a promise to appear in court at a later time Barajas failed to appear for that court date, and a felony warrant was issued for his arrest Additionally, a parole violation warrant was issued based on Barajas’ status on state parole for PC 215(a) – carjacking
On Saturday, September 2, 2023, Rialto Police Department Officers learned of Barajas’ potential whereabouts and began efforts to take him into custody once again At approximately 1:54 p m officers observed Barajas in the 4000 block of North Sierra Way driving a black 2016 Kia Optima Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop on Barajas’ vehicle knowing Barajas used a firearm in the commission of the original robbery and could potentially be armed again Barajas failed to comply with officers and fled on foot through the parking lot of a crowded shopping center As Barajas fled, officers deployed their department issued Conducted Energy Weapons (Tasers) Barajas fell to the ground, injuring himself, and continued
E i g h t D r i v e r s C i t e d , O n e A r r e s t e d a t
Community News
On September 1st, 2023 eight drivers were issued citations and 1 arrested at a DUI checkpoint
The DUI checkpoint was held on the 1900 block of W Valley Blvd from 7 p m to 3 a m
Eight drivers were cited for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked license 328 vehicles total went
o n D U I C h e c k p o i n t
through the checkpoint and 117 of the 328 vehicles were screened for objective signs and symptoms of intoxication or driving while suspended/unlicensed
One driver was arrested for other unrelated criminal charges
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes
The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads
The next DUI checkpoint will be held on September 29th, 2023
Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
to resist officers’ attempts to take him into custody Following his arrest, a search of Barajas and his vehicle was conducted, however no firearm was located Barajas suffered a laceration to his forehead as well as other minor abrasions and contusions on his arms and legs Medical services were immediately dispatched to the scene for Barajas, who was transported by paramedics to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries Upon release from the hospital, Barajas is set to be booked into the West Valley Detention Center for his outstanding warrants related to the original PC 211 – Robbery, as well as his parole violation Additionally, one Rialto Police Department officer suffered several abrasions while struggling to take Barajas into custody, and was treated by paramedics on scene
RPD requests that anyone with information about this incident contact Lt Rocky Johnson at (909) 820-2629
R e a d y R i v e r s i d e P u b l i c S a f e t y
P r e p a r e d n e s s E x p o i s S e p t 9 t h
Community News
September is National Preparedness
Month, the City of Riverside has joined the national efforts of the Ready Campaign by hosting a READY RIVERSIDE Public Safety Preparedness Expo on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, at 1299 Galleria at Tyler Mall, Riverside, south side parking lot outside of the food court
While September is national preparedness month, the goal is to make emergency preparedness a part of our lives every day This means storing emergency supplies in sufficient quantity to last for
at least 10 days or even longer, having an evacuation plan in case of fire, and knowing how to properly report emergencies happening in your neighborhoods Fire Chief Michael Moore said, “The recent wildfires and extreme weather conditions throughout the country show the importance of preparing now for a disaster that may impact your life ” Expo displays will include Fire & Police specialized vehicles, SWAT, Technical Rescue, Haz Mat, American Red Cross, Hands only CPR, STOP the Bleed, Neighborhood Watch, Fire Safety, Community Emergency Response Team, Riverside Public Utilities, and more For information on emergency preparedness visit: www readyriverside org
LAS FAMILIAS, LOS ESTUDIANTES, LOS EDUCADORES Y LAS COMUNIDADES TOMAN DECISIONES EN CONJUNTO.
CLASES ADAPTADAS A LAS NECESIDADES DE LOS ESTUDIANTES.
ASESORAMIENTO, SALUD MENTAL, CUIDADO DE NIÑOS Y EDUCACIÓN DE PADRES.
AUMENTANDO LA PARTICIPACIÓN DE LOS ESTUDIANTES Y CERRANDO LAS BRECHAS DE RENDIMIENTO
ESCUELAS COMUNITARIAS DE CALIFORNIA — REIMAGINANDO LA EDUCACIÓN PÚBLICA.
se llaman Escuelas Comunitarias.
Con la vuelta al colegio, algo nuevo está pasando en las escuelas públicas de California…
CSUSB Hosts Topping Out Cer emony f or New Perf or ming Ar ts Center
Community News
On a sunny Tuesday morning on Aug 29, the Cal State San Bernardino campus community gathered for the topping out ceremony for the university’s Performing Arts Center, set to open during the 2024-25 academic year
Kathyn Ervin, retired professor of theatre arts, emceed the event Carlos Two Bears Gonzales, coordinator of the First Peoples’ Center, gave the land acknowledgement, followed by speeches from Rafik Mohamed, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Sam Sudhakar, vice president and chief information officer
of CSUSB’s Information Technology Services; Robert Nava, vice president for advancement and executive director for the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation; and Rueyling Chuang, dean of the College of Arts and Letters
A topping out ceremony is a construction tradition that has been occurring in some fashion for centuries as a celebration of project milestones Traditionally, the ceremony occurs when the final structural beam is raised into place, completing the building’s frame The campus community was invited to sign the beam
The $126 9 million, 73,337-square-foot Performing
Arts Center will provide teaching, rehearsal and performance spaces necessary for a modern performing arts program Creating a new 500-seat performing arts theater will allow the university to provide a more equitable educational experience that reflects the excellence of the theater arts and music programs at CSUSB
At completion, the theater will be the only one of its size and quality in the Inland Empire, and will allow more of the area’s community to experience the highly acclaimed productions from CSUSB student-performers and student-musicians
Crafton Hills College Launches Fundraiser in Suppor t of Students in Perf or ming Ar ts
Community News
The stage is almost set for Crafton Hills College’s all-new Finkelstein Performing Arts Center ’s debut But before the curtain lifts on the space in 2024, the Yucaipa-based college’s Foundation has put out the call for the community to sponsor a seat (or two)
Funds raised through the effort will go to support the future of the college’s Theater Arts Department, and each seat sponsored will include a personalized touch – a donor plate embossed with each donor ’s name or name of their choosing
“Donations are not for lights and overhead, but for support that helps students succeed,” explained Michelle Riggs, Crafton’s director of institutional advancement “This endowment will enhance experiences for theatre, dance and music students and provide program expenses, impacting students in perpetuity ”
The fundraiser “is really exciting to see because this is a major investment in the time and effort the college has put into promoting the performing arts,” added CHC Theater Department Chair
Paul Jacques “This will benefit the performing arts at Crafton for the next 20 years ”
Donor plates are approximately 2 875 inches x 1 375 inches, and supporters can choose between one or two-year pledge options to make it easy and affordable to support the cause For example, seats in rows A through C cost $1,000 per sponsorship, but donors can commit to a one-year pledge of $84 a month or a twoyear pledge of $42 a month Sponsorships can be made directly at craftonhills edu/seat or by contacting the Foundation directly by email at chcfoundation@craftonhills edu or by phone at 909-389-3245
Crafton’s new 24,000 sq ft PAC stands on the site of the college’s old gym, which was demolished last year The new performing space will house instructional spaces for music, theater and dance programming and was approved for construction in Sept 2022, and the groundbreaking followed in May
The Crafton Hills College Foundation works year-round to raise funds for student-based scholarships, grants, and campus improvements To learn more about the nonprofit, go to craftonhills edu/foundation
San Ber nardino Mom Discover s Secr et to Slashing Utility Bills Amid Nationwide Surge
By Manny SandovalAs utility bills across the nation have seen a staggering increase since the pandemic, San Bernardino resident Ashley Green has found a unique way to save hundreds of dollars annually and earn extra cash
Green, a mother of three boys, turned to the OhmConnect app after spotting it in an Instagram-sponsored post "I started noticing little things like when you turn some utilities off between 7 PM and 8 PM, it gives you points And when you refer the app to people, it gives you money It gave me $40 via PayPal once," Green shared Referrals can earn users between $20 to $60
According to data, utility costs saw a significant jump in 2022 Green's strategy revolves around the app's notifications about peak hours, often between 7 PM and 8
PM "It helps you find ways to save, and it goes off your bill," she explained By connecting the app to her Edison account, Green receives text messages about peak hours and garners the results the following day
Green identified her washer and portable air conditioner when asked about the most energy-consuming utilities Since adopting the app's recommendations over two years ago, she's saved several hundreds of dollars each year
When asked how her family survives when disconnecting from the A/C during the 100-degree weather, Green said, "It's not super hot around 7 PM or 8 PM Sometimes we'll go outside, turn the sprinklers on, or go for a drive, so by the time we return, the peak hour is over," Green added
OhmConnect, free for users, was founded in 2014 by
Cadir Lee, Matt Duesterberg, and Curtis Tongue
The platform's primary feature, the OhmHour, is a brief window for high demand on the energy grid Instead of resorting to "peaker" plants, utility companies incentivize customers to reduce their energy consumption Users are notified of these peak hours, and by reducing their energy usage, they earn rewards that can be converted to cash or other prizes
The company also emphasizes its commitment to equity and outreach Recognizing the systemic inequities faced by low-income families and people of color, OhmConnect's Equity, Access, and Outreach (EA&O) Committee works to combat these disparities within the energy and consumer technology sectors
Innovative solutions like OhmConnect offer a glimmer of hope and financial relief for households nationwide as utility bills continue to rise
San Ber nardino County Gains National Attention f or Ef f or ts to Addr ess Homelessness
The Point-In-Time Count being conducted in January 2023
Community News
The Board of Supervisors’ commitment to addressing homelessness has been recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo)
A 2023 NACo Achievement Award was presented to the county for implementing Point-In-Time Count (PITC) virtual training, which resulted in a 41 percent increase in the number of volunteers trained between 2020 and 2022
Before virtual trainings, San Bernardino County prepared volunteers for the annual homeless count at various county offices, which created a barrier for potential volunteers who could not attend To address this issue, the county moved PITC trainings to a virtual setting, allowing for more volunteers to attend without having to travel to a physical site
The Board of Supervisors has taken bold steps to address homelessness, such as adopting the 2022 Home-
less Strategic Action Plan and allocating $72 million toward permanent housing and other support systems and services
San Bernardino County won 160 NACo 2023 Achievement Awards, nearly doubling the number of awards it won last year, and leads with more awards than any of the nation’s more than 3,000 counties
The PITC is an annual survey of individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night in January The results of the survey provide insight to the Board of Supervisors for developing policies to prevent and end homelessness The data is also shared with the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
“The PITC is important in many different ways, mainly because it provides us with a baseline to monitor our progress in addressing homelessness,” said Director of Community Development and Housing Carrie Harmon
This year, the PITC survey indicated that San
Bernardino County’s homeless population grew by 26 percent In total, 4,195 individuals were identified as homeless PITC volunteers searched cars, parks, sidewalks, parking lots, and vacant buildings to make this determination Much of that increase is attributed to the growing number of volunteers finding more of the county’s homeless
“It is truly an honor to receive a NACo Achievement Award for our virtual PITC trainings,” said Interim Chief of Homeless Services Kristin Stevens “This strategy increased our participation rate, which allowed us to gain a more comprehensive understanding of homelessness in our county We are so grateful to the many PITC volunteers who contributed to this effort ”
The PITC is sponsored by the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership in collaboration with the Office of Homeless Services and the Institute for Urban Initiatives For more information about Homeless Services, visit homelesstohome sbcounty gov
CA Senator : After T he Senseless Killing of Lauri Ann Car leton, Let’s Find Common Gr ound
By Senator Rosilicie Ochoa BoghIn the state’s quiet, picturesque town of Cedar Glen, a simple clothing store, Mag Pi, was the focus of a heinous act of violence On Friday, August 18, a man arrived at Mag Pi, and the life of store-owner Laura Ann “Lauri” Carleton was abruptly ended According to accounts of that day, this act was perpetrated with vicious purposes
Mag Pi was a labor of love for Lauri, who was wellknown within the community Her journey in fashion began as a teenager in her family’s business, Fred Segal, in Los Angeles
After graduating from the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, she spent over 15 years as an executive at Kenneth Cole In 2013, she realized her dream by opening Mag pi on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City Her venture’s success led to the opening of a second store in Cedar Glen in 2021
Lauri was not just a store owner, she was also a loving mother of nine, a wife to her husband, Bort, and an advocate in the community She was the heart and soul of her store, and her success in the community wasn’t solely due to her fashion expertise, but rather to her gen-
uine passions and upstanding character
To her friends and the community, Lauri represented more than her store she was an advocate Matthew Clevenger, a member of the Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+ community, said that Lauri championed individuality and authenticity, standing firm for acceptance
When Mag Pi opened its doors in 2021, Lauri displayed a Pride flag at the store The flag was repeatedly vandalized and torn down multiple times Undeterred, Lauri always rehung the flag each time it was taken down
Lauri was a contributor to the Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+ community and an enthusiastic participant in their Pride boat parade Her commitment to individuality, authenticity and acceptance was unmistakable Mag Pi itself featured a dedicated Pride section showcasing rainbow-colored products
Mag Pi and Lauri’s acts in support for the LGBTQ+ community was an expression of our Constitutional free speech While we may not agree with every manifestation of free speech, it is every American’s right to exercise this liberty Tragically, the situation escalated beyond the removal of the Pride Flag Lauri’s senseless death was an act of violence that can only be described
as abhorrent
We find ourselves in a time marked by contention Too frequently, violence takes the place of civil discourse and reasoned debate The prevailing trend of vilifying those who hold differing viewpoints is a perilous approach that can lead to tragic outcomes
In recent times, we have all seen this trend of vilification become the rule rather than the exception Rather than rely on debating facts and holding ourselves to a high standard of decorum, the go-to strategy is hostility toward others, rather than discussing the merit of the ideas they profess Lauri’s death was unnecessary and tragic It was spurned by hate This is absolutely unacceptable We must all take care to temper what we see around us and take the time to truly get to know one another
Let us honor Lauri’s memory by rejecting violence as a means of resolution In the face of adversity, let her legacy inspire us to find common ground and embrace the power of respectful dialogue and understanding in order to help foster a “more perfect union ” Our children deserve it
*This Op-Ed was originally published in The Sacramento bee
City of Highland to Welcome Costco and 1,400 New Jobs Amid City Expansion
By Manny SandovalThe Highland Area Chamber of Commerce's August Networking Luncheon was abuzz with excitement as Larry Mainez, City of Highland community development director, unveiled plans for significant city developments, including the much-anticipated arrival of Costco
Addressing a full house at the Spring Lake Clubhouse in East Highland, Mainez announced that Costco had submitted entitlements in July and is already in the planning phase "Once they get their permits, they might open within 10 months," Mainez shared The new Costco, set to be located on Greenspot Road between Boulder Avenue and Palm Avenue, will feature a gas station equipped with both gas and electric charging stations Notably absent will be diesel options This development comes after years of halted progress
in the area due to environmental concerns, primarily the presence of the endangered Kangaroo Rat and traffic concerns in the Greenspot Village & Marketplace The resolution of these concerns has paved the way for the city's expansion
The city is set to see an influx of 1,400 new jobs, with 500 stemming from retail and another 900 from logistics Mainez highlighted the economic potential, asking Gail Shelton of Coldwell Bankers about the average household income in Highland The figure stands at $69,000
Beyond Costco, Mainez shed light on other upcoming developments "This map highlights 1,700 new housing units, including 300 single-family units and 1,400 multifamily units," he said, emphasizing the city's rapid growth Additionally, eight warehouse projects are in the pipeline, ranging from 47,000 sqft to a gargantuan 300,000 sqft
Commercial development is also on the horizon An upcoming Quick Quack Car Wash is slated for Boulder Avenue and Greenspot Road Food enthusiasts will be pleased with the introduction of an Ono Hawaiian BBQ, El Pollo Loco, and a new Habit Burger near the Baseline Street interchange by Smart and Final
Mainez engaged attendees with trivia, revealing that the city boasts 13 parks, contrary to a popular guess of three He also highlighted the city's two major events: the 4th of July Parade and the Citrus Harvest Festival
The city's growth and the arrival of Costco are sure to bring a new chapter of prosperity and development to Highland, even with the environmentally pesky proposed warehouse projects As Mainez aptly put it, "I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Costco is coming to town "
